How much do you know about dog heart disease? Yeah, we got nuthin’, too – except that we know their hearts are big, metaphorically speaking. But that lack of knowledge is cureable – and the cure might even be a fun break from flood fatigue for you and your Colorado dog. Come the end of this week, we’re all going to have flood fatigue if we don’t have it already.

Englewood and Colorado Springs will host the Mobile Dog Heart Health Tour Sept. 20-21. [UPDATE: The van’s visit to Boulder has been canceled.]

More about the zombies in a bit. Probably the most important thing to note about the third edition of the fair is that one ticket price gets you in for the whole three-day weekend, Aug. 9-11, and that they’ve cut the price of parking to $5, with parking for bikes and scooters free. Tickets are $10 adults; $5 kids, seniors and military; family four-pack $25. Hours are Friday 12-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; it’s all at the National Western Complex in Denver. 4655 Humboldt St.

Raising a show dog is no barking matter, according to this DogChannel.com article by Anne H. Bowes. If yours is destined for the spotlight, the pooch should respond to its name and basic commands, and learn how to stand still to be poked and prodded, at a very young age.

Ken Foster’s “I’m a Good Dog” explores pit-bull myths and history – and why their owners love a dog that many shudder at.

When Ken Foster’s book landed on my desk, I had to open it. That cover photo of a full-on pit-bull grin, the legendary teeth and giant tongue unabashedly displayed, drew me in (props to photographer Karen Morgan). I know, and respect, that this photo would make many people shudder rather than smile. So, full disclosure: I grew up with boxers and throughout life, I’ve had some giant, sloppy, affectionate dog faces right up in mine – but never, fortunately, an aggressive one. When I see that photo, my reaction is to grin (and prepare to dodge slobber).

“I’m a Good Dog: Pit Bulls, America’s Most Beautiful (and Misunderstood) Pet (Viking Studio, 2012) reveals author Foster as a pit-bull partisan, a man in love and on a mission.

A few of the young chicken farmers featured in the Denver Chicken Coop Tour 2013 Calendar (photos by Chuck Svoboda and James Bertini)

There are posh coops. Cute coops. Hipster coops, recycled coops, and even a camper coop – all in the Denver metro area.

Earlier this month, Denver Urban Homesteading celebrated the third year of its annual Denver Chicken Coop tour with a little something extra: a calendar to educate aspiring urban chicken farmers year-round with information and photos.

Its pages take a reader into yards from Globeville to Cherry Creek and Baker to Lakewood, where James Bertini and Chuck Svoboda photographed the chicken coops and the families who built them (spending anywhere from a mere $10 to $1,800).

Becky Hensley is the co-founder of Share Denver - a community craft space in Park Hill. She's also the proud Ninja-in Chief of the Denver Craft Ninjas -- a women’s crafting collective dedicated to keeping the DIY spirit alive through laughter, shared skills, and cocktails.

Colorado native Mark Montano is an international designer, artist, author and television personality. He has appeared on TLC’s “While You Were Out” and “10 Years Younger,” as well as “My Celebrity Home” on the Style Network, “She’s Moving In” on We TV, “The Tony Danza Show” on ABC, and “My Home 2.0” on Fox.